Wakayama Outdoors

With so many picturesque waterways spread across the region, Kansai is the perfect Japanese location for a boat trip. Whether you fancy a relaxing cruise or a white-knuckle downriver jaunt, there are no shortage of boating opportunities. Here is a choice selection of trips guaranteed to provide a winner of a day out. Tombori River Cruise, Osaka Fancy squeezing an urban river cruise into your schedule? How about sailing along Osaka’s Dotonbori Canal and soaking up the sights of the surrounding cityscape? The Ipponmatsu Shipping Company runs 20-minute journeys traversing the “aqua metropolis” daily, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It’s ideal if you seek a short boat journey and can also be a great way of getting from A to B. The main departure point is the Tazaemonbashi Bridge boat dock. Adult tickets are 1,200 yen. Website: http://www.ipponmatsu.co.jp/cruise/tombori.html (in Japanese) Hozu River Downwater Ride, Kyoto If you’re up for something that might get the pulses racing and offers luscious scenery, check out the exhilarating cruises that span the 16 km stretch of river gorge from Kameyama to Arashiyama. These journeys are made in smaller flat boats crewed by rowers with paddles, and passengers are exposed to the elements. Furthermore,…